A SHOCK defeat to Leadgate blew Shotley Bridge’s title dreams out of the water, and they now trail leaders Tynedale by 24 points with only five games of the season remaining.

Leadgate had only won two games before Saturday, while the Bridge had only lost twice, but the form book was turned upside down as Shotley were shot out for 124, Lee Harrison leading a four-pronged wicket-taking attack with an opening burst of 4-33.

The Bridge did claim six wickets in the Leadgate run chase, but just didn’t have enough to play with as Ross Burdon (36) top scored for the hosts.

Shotley’s day of disaster was complete when all three of the other title contenders won. Tynedale increased their lead over the chasing pack to 17 points following the Bridge’s demise, with Ashington now in second and, ominously, Swalwell lurking in third.

Tynedale did a workmanlike job in disposing of Ponteland by seven wickets, their attack pinning the visitors down to a 50-over total of 151-8, and then Johnny Meadows crashing 88 from 67 balls, the leaders home and hosed within 26 overs.

Ashington overwhelmed Burnopfield by 130 runs in a one-sided contest. Ben O’Brien was the driving force in the Colliers’ 227- 8, hitting a rousing 58-ball 79, and Anirudh Singh adding a more sedate 46 from 66 balls. Burnopfield were then in trouble from the off, Chris Watson (3-26 from 12 overs) heading an effective home strike force which tipped the visitors out for 97 in 43.4 overs.

Swalwell run machine Chris Hewison spanked 17 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 146 against hapless Alnmouth, who claimed one scalp in 50 overs of toil when they claimed the wicket of Lloyd Anderson, but not before he’d registered a half century.

Nicky Phillips (66 not out) then rubbed salt into wound as the champions racked up 281-1. Phillips then grabbed 4-18 as Alnmouth subsided to 93 all out to lose by 188 runs.

Annfield Plain crashed to a ten-wicket drubbing at the hands of Consett, Mark Dixon (6-25) and Davey Anderson (4-29) the merchants of Plain doom, while bottom club Ryton chased 201-6 in their home game against Lanchester.